Pearl Necklaces Hit the Runways: Everything You Need to Know About Pearl Necklaces

After a few decades of being considered "your grandmother's jewelry," pearl necklaces are back in fashion. Beautiful pearl necklaces grace the necks of celebrities walking the red carpet, give businesswoman a feminine edge, and add a certain je ne sais quoi when dressing for a romantic date.

According to the Cultured Pearl Association, pearl necklaces typically come in six lengths:

Collar (12"-13") - Usually worn in three strands at the center of the neck, collar pearl necklaces are the perfect accessory to boat neck, V-neck, or off-the-shoulder fashions.

Choker (14"-16") - Worn as a single strand at the base of the neck, choker pearl necklaces can go from casual to business to evening, and can be worn with any neckline.

Princess (17"-19") - Falling slightly below the base of the neck, princess-length pearl necklaces work best with either high or plunging necklines.

Matinee ( 20"-24") - Resting just above the bust line, matinee-length pear necklaces are the perfect accessory for casual or career fashion.

Opera (28"-34") - Opera-length pearl necklaces are extremely versatile. Worn as a single strand, they perfectly accessorize high necklines. When doubled, they can be worn as a two-strand choker.

Rope (Over 45") - Plunging to the hipline, rope-length pearl necklaces are the ultimate in luxury and sensuality.

Before buying a pearl necklace, you should know something about cultured pearls. According to the Cultured Pearl Association, pearls are judged by the following qualities:

1. Luster - Luster is both the shininess of the pear's surface and its inner glow. If you can clearly see your reflection in the pearl's surface, the pearl is of high quality.
2. Surface - No pearl is completely without blemishes - after all, it's a product of nature - but its value increases with its smoothness.
3. Shape - Most people think of pearls as being perfectly round, although no pearl is perfectly symmetrical. Generally, though, the closer a pearl is to achieving perfect roundness, the more valuable it is.
4. Color - Although we think of "pearly whites," cultured pearls actually come in many different colors, including rose, gold, and cream. The color you choose depends upon your preference.
5. Size - Pearl sizes, measured in millimeters according to their diameters, range from seed pearls (less than one millimeter) to huge South Sea pearls (20 millimeters or more). Pearl necklaces can consist of pearls all the same size, or of pearls that increase in diameter from each end, with the largest pearls in the center of the necklace.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Jewelry Website and Majon's Jewelry directory.